UN chief appeals to the Taliban to lay down arms

[left-of-center2012]

The United Nations chief is urging the Taliban to
immediately halt their offensive in Afghanistan and negotiate “in good faith” to avert a prolonged civil war.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his first appeal directly to the Islamic militant group, which now controls two-thirds of the country, that he is “deeply disturbed by early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women and journalists.”

“This is the moment to halt the offensive,” Guterres said. “This is the moment to start serious negotiation. This is the moment to avoid a prolonged civil war or the isolation of Afghanistan.” He expressed hopes that discussions in Doha, Qatar between the Afghan government and the Taliban, supported by the region and international community, “will restore the pathway to a negotiated settlement to the conflict.”

“Afghanistan is spinning out of control,” he said.
“It is particularly horrifying and heartbreaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them.”

https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-8311b42904cb0a44d5a12392c577a840

[SoCalDavidS]

1. Yeah, Sure, That's Gonna Happen

The Taliban have been so cooperative and have exhibited "good faith" for several decades.

[cloudbase]

2. Well, Mr. Secretary-General,

please let us know how that works out.

[Amishman]

3. There are few groups more twisted and insane than Trumpers - but the Taliban tops the list

Seriously, even a rabid coyote is probably more reasonable and rational than the Taliban

The best strategy for dealing with them is to blow them up - and that's been tried for over 30 years without success.

[dalton99a]

4. Taliban official promises immediate compliance

[Xavier Breath]

5. A "Prolonged" civil war?

Nah, everything seems to be moving along rather briskly.

[maxsolomon]

12. Prior to 9/11, Afghanistan was in a prolonged Civil War.

The Taliban controlling most of the country, with the Northern Alliance opposing them, comprised of 2 Warlords, Massoud and Dostum.

There are already Militias re-forming; the end of the Central Govt is not necessarily the end of the fighting.

[Xavier Breath]

13. Perhaps, but at times our interventions

have found a way to unite even warring factions. In a sense we might be bringing people together.

[calguy]

6. That'll stop 'em!

[Silent3]

7. All I have to do now to imagine negotiating and pleading with the Taliban...

...is to imagine doing the same with current Republicans.

[BeyondGeography]

8. The prospect of rejection by the international community might just give the Taliban pause

[cilla4progress]

9. Biden needs to order a military action

V. Taliban rn, I'm afraid.

Ok, the sadly discomforting John Kirby, Pentagon Press Sec'y says we have the capability for air strikes there.

[left-of-center2012]

10. "Biden needs to order a military action"

Uh, no. Not going to happen.

20 years of 'military action' has brought us to today.

[dalton99a]

11. More bombs were dropped on Vietnam in one year (1967) than in all of World War II.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

14. What civil war? They will all bend to the will of the strongest jihadi warlord, or die, like always

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

15. You dont negotiate with a tiger while its eating your arm, old jihadi proverb